Jim Frazier has been a transformative leader at McBrayer for more than three decades, shaping both the firm’s trajectory and the communities it serves. Beginning his tenure as Managing Member in 1993, his impact on the law firm that he continues to guide the direction of is almost as momentous as the mark he has left on his community. Jim’s leadership reflects a clear vision for McBrayer as a Kentucky firm with international reach, grounded in exceptional client service, innovation, and purposeful growth. A seasoned dealmaker, Jim brings deep experience across real estate, bankruptcy, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate law. His work in energy and mineral law, including coal and emerging solar development, has positioned him as a trusted advisor in key industries across Kentucky.

Clients turn to Jim for guidance in complex transactions, restructurings, and sensitive organizational disputes. His experience includes managing commercial real estate projects, directing student housing developments, overseeing receiverships for corporate, nonprofit, and faith-based entities, and handling intricate coal and mineral asset transactions. His ability to navigate financial, operational, and legal challenges makes him an invaluable partner to business owners, executives, lenders, and boards. Jim’s impact extends well beyond private practice. He serves as the Master Commissioner of the Fayette Circuit Court, as well as serving as the Chair of the Kentucky Master Commissioners Advisory Board. Jim also serves as the Chair of the board of the Lexington Parking Authority. Completing his commitment to improving his community, Jim served two terms as the first-ever Chair of the Downtown Lexington Management District, an organization that uses collected property taxes to foster economic development to create a flourishing downtown for both visitors and locals to enjoy.

Capabilities, Successes, and Assignments:

• Assists with condemnations as an appraiser
• Handles liquidations and other bankruptcy matters as a trustee or as Master Commissioner
• Insured and bonded to serve in receiverships
• Handles commercial real estate acquisitions
• Manages student housing development projects across the state of Kentucky
• Manages coal transactions, including leases, permitting, coal sales contracts, asset purchases, equity interest transactions, transportation agreements, overriding royalty agreements, consulting contracts, and contract mining agreements
• Deaccessed hundreds of millions of dollars of assets in private sale and private auctions for coal and hemp companies
• Serves as Fayette Circuit Court Master Commissioner
• Appointed as Assignee/Trustee in Assignment for Benefit of Creditors of large multi-company coal corporation; Court appointed Chief Liquidation Officer for Appalachian Holding Company, Inc., a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy liquidation of coal companies in two states
• Appointed as Receiver in the matter of Manalapan Land Company and Black Star Land Company, two family-owned land and coal companies feuding over the assets of the company following the death of the senior and controlling member of the companies
• Appointed as Receiver in the foreclosure action of Central Bank vs. Imani Baptist Church to manage, preserve and liquidate the assets of the church during the pendency of the foreclosure action for the benefit of the creditors
• Appointed as Receiver in the matter of Ashland Oil/Valvoline to take possession of and manage the locally owned real estate of the companies during the stages of final separation of Valvoline from Ashland Global Holdings, Inc.
• Appointed as Receiver for Southern Acres Christian Church to take charge of the church’s financial affairs following the ouster of its senior pastor by the newly-elected board of elders for the church.
• Appointed as Receiver in Amerra Capital Management LLC v. Elemental Processing LLC to manage, preserve and liquidate the assets of a hemp processing facility with locations in three cities in two states.
• Appointed as Receiver in MWI, LLC v. CenterCourt I, LLC to manage and preserve an ongoing commercial apartment and retail complex in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky.

Primary Practice

Additional Practice Experience

News

Seminars & Speaking Engagements

Articles

Blog Posts

• Kentucky Master Commissioners Advisory Board, Chair, 2023-Present
• Fayette Circuit Court, Master Commissioner, 2008-Present
• Florida Bar Association, Member, 2007-Present
• Louisville Bar Association, Member, 2006-Present
• Texas Bar Association, Member, 1997-Present
• Fayette Circuit Court, Deputy Master Commissioner, 1992-2008
• Kentucky Bar Association, Member, 1979-Present
• Fayette County Bar Association, Member, 1979-Present

• Board of Governors, 1981-1986
• President, 1992-1993
• Board of Directors, 1992-1994

• American Bar Association, Member, 1979-Present